Find Glendale Public Records
Public records in Glendale come from Los Angeles County offices and city departments. You can search for court cases, property files, birth and death records, marriage licenses, and business documents. Most records are open to the public under state law. Some have limits on who can see them. Los Angeles County keeps most records for Glendale since the city is in the county system. The county has online search tools and in-person access at offices in Norwalk, downtown Los Angeles, and local courthouses. City records like council files and permits stay at Glendale City Hall on Harvard Street.
Los Angeles County Records for Glendale
Glendale is part of Los Angeles County. County offices handle vital records, court files, and property documents for all Glendale residents. The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office in Norwalk is the main hub for birth, death, and marriage certificates. Property records go through the County Recorder. Court cases get filed at the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk has its main office at 12400 Imperial Highway in Norwalk. You can request vital records there or order online. Birth certificates cost $34. Death certificates are $26. Marriage records run $19. These fees went up on January 1, 2026, due to state law changes. You can also use lavote.gov to start an online request or find forms to mail in.
For court records in Glendale, the Glendale Courthouse serves the city. It is at 600 East Broadway in downtown Glendale. The courthouse handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. You can search cases online at the Los Angeles Superior Court website. Name searches cost money if you want full details. Go to lacourt.org for case lookup tools and filing info.
Glendale Court Case Search
Court cases from Glendale go into the Los Angeles County court system. The Glendale Courthouse is one of many locations in the county. Cases filed there show up in the countywide database. You can search by name, case number, or party. Some case types have limits on what the public can see online. Family law and juvenile cases often have sealed files or limited access.
The Los Angeles Superior Court offers an online case index at lacourt.org. This tool covers civil, small claims, family law, and probate matters filed in Glendale and other county courts. Search results show names, case types, filing dates, and courthouse locations. If you want to see documents or get copies, you can pay for access or visit the court in person. The first 20 pages of images cost $5.00 online.
Criminal case records in Glendale are public but have some restrictions. You can search by defendant name or case number. Sealed cases or records with confidential information do not show in public searches. For full criminal history or background checks, the California Department of Justice handles those requests. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints to learn about requesting your own record or doing an authorized background check in Glendale.
Note: Most court records in Glendale are available from 1983 to the present day in the online system.
Glendale Property and Real Estate Records
All property records for Glendale are kept by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents recorded against real estate. These records are public and can be searched online or in person. The county updates the database daily with new filings from Glendale and the rest of Los Angeles County.
You can search property records online for free. The County Recorder's database lets you look up by owner name, address, or document number. Go to the county portal and click on property search tools. If you need certified copies of a deed or other document, you can order them online or visit the Norwalk office. Copies cost a few dollars per page. Certification adds a small fee on top of that.
The Los Angeles County Assessor also has property records for Glendale. The Assessor tracks ownership and values for tax purposes. You can search by address or parcel number at portal.assessor.lacounty.gov. This shows who owns the property, the assessed value, and tax history. It does not have all the same documents as the Recorder, but it is a good way to find basic facts about Glendale real estate.
Birth, Death, and Marriage Records in Glendale
Vital records for Glendale residents are filed with Los Angeles County and the California Department of Public Health. Los Angeles County is often faster for recent records. The state keeps older files and serves as a backup if you cannot get what you need from the county. You must be an authorized person to get a certified copy. State law limits who can request birth and death certificates.
Birth certificates from Glendale hospitals or issued to Glendale residents can be ordered from the county Registrar-Recorder office. You need to prove your relationship to the person on the certificate or show a legal reason for the request. The fee is $34 per copy. You can apply in person, by mail, or online at lavote.gov. Processing takes a few weeks if you mail it in. Walk-in service is faster.
Death certificates cost $26 and follow the same rules as birth records. You must be immediate family, a legal representative, or have another authorized reason. Marriage certificates are $19 and easier to get since they are less restricted. If you need older vital records from Glendale, you can also try the California Department of Public Health. Their fees are $24 for most certificates. Processing time is 5 to 7 weeks. Call them at (916) 445-2684 or visit cdph.ca.gov.
City of Glendale Records and Documents
The City of Glendale maintains its own set of public records separate from the county. City records include council meeting minutes, resolutions, ordinances, permits, and planning documents. You can request these under the California Public Records Act. The city has 10 days to respond to your request. Some records are online. Others require a formal request to the city clerk or the department that holds the file.
Glendale City Hall is at 613 East Broadway. The City Clerk's office is on the second floor. This is where you file public records requests, get copies of council files, or ask about city ordinances. The clerk can help you find meeting agendas, resolutions, and other legislative records. Call (818) 548-2080 for more information. You can also check the city website for online records and forms.
Building permits, business licenses, and planning files are public records in Glendale. The Community Development Department handles building and planning records. Business licenses go through the Finance Department. You can often search for permits online or call the department to ask for copies. Some cities charge for copies. Check with the department before you submit a large request.
For police records or arrest reports in Glendale, contact the Glendale Police Department. Not all police records are public. The department reviews requests under state law. Some reports are confidential. Others are available after redactions. Call (818) 548-4911 or visit the police station at 131 North Isabel Street to ask about a specific record.
Business and Corporate Records for Glendale
Business entity records in Glendale are kept by the California Secretary of State. This includes corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships. You can search for any business registered in California at no cost. The Secretary of State database has information on business names, officers, agents, and filing history. Go to sos.ca.gov to search.
Fictitious business names, also called DBAs, are filed with Los Angeles County. If a Glendale business operates under a name other than the owner's legal name, it must file a fictitious business name statement with the County Clerk. These are public records. You can search them online or request copies from the Registrar-Recorder office in Norwalk. There is a small fee for certified copies.
Business licenses in Glendale go through the city. The City of Glendale Finance Department issues licenses and keeps records of active businesses. You can call (818) 548-2020 to ask about a specific business license or find out what you need to start a new business in Glendale. State-level licenses like contractor licenses or professional licenses come from state boards, not the city or county.
Online Record Search Tools for Glendale
Many public records for Glendale are online. County and state agencies have web portals where you can search for free or pay a small fee for copies. Some city records are also available on Glendale's website. Using online tools saves time and lets you search from home. Here are the main databases for Glendale public records.
Los Angeles County has several online systems. The Registrar-Recorder site lets you order vital records and search property documents. The Superior Court site has case indexes and court calendars. The Assessor has property tax records. All of these cover Glendale since the city is in the county. Links to each system are on the county homepage at lacounty.gov.
The California Secretary of State has free business searches at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov. You can look up corporations, LLCs, and other entities by name or number. The California Courts website at courts.ca.gov has resources for finding court records statewide. The State Controller offers an unclaimed property search at sco.ca.gov if you think someone in Glendale has money or assets waiting to be claimed.
For criminal background checks, the California Department of Justice runs a fingerprint-based system. You must submit prints and pay a fee. Most results come back in 48 to 72 hours. This is the official way to get a California criminal history record. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review to request your own record or learn about authorized checks for employment or licensing in Glendale.
California Public Records Act Requests in Glendale
The California Public Records Act gives you the right to see government records. This applies to city, county, and state agencies. If a record is not online or easy to get, you can file a formal request. The agency has 10 days to respond. They can take 14 more days if needed. Not all records are public. Some are exempt for privacy or legal reasons.
To request records from the City of Glendale, contact the department that has the file. If you do not know which department, start with the City Clerk. You can submit a written request by mail, email, or in person. Be specific about what you want. Include dates, names, or other details that help the city find the records. There is no fee to make a request. The city can charge for staff time if your request takes more than a few hours to process.
Los Angeles County uses a public records portal called NextRequest. You can submit requests online at lacountyrrcc.nextrequest.com. This system tracks your request and sends updates. Some county records are not subject to the Public Records Act because they are available for purchase through normal channels. This includes vital records, property documents, and voter files. You order those through the regular process, not a PRA request.
State agencies also follow the Public Records Act. If you want records from the California Department of Justice, Secretary of State, or another state office, you file a request with that agency. The Attorney General's office has a public records request form online at oag.ca.gov. The state charges 10 cents per page for copies. Complex electronic data requests can cost more.
Note: Agencies cannot ask why you want the records when you make a Public Records Act request.
Los Angeles County Public Records
Glendale is in Los Angeles County. The county handles most vital records, court filings, and property documents for Glendale residents. For a full guide to Los Angeles County records, fees, office locations, and online search tools, visit the county page.